When it comes to the English language, there are often words that are similar in spelling and pronunciation, but have different meanings. One such example is the words “examine” and “examinee”.
So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer is both, but they are used in different contexts. “Examine” is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone in order to determine its nature or condition. On the other hand, “examinee” is a noun that refers to the person who is being examined or scrutinized.
Throughout this article, we will be examining the differences between these two words and how they are used in various contexts. By the end, you will have a better understanding of when to use each word and how to use them correctly in your writing.
Define Examine
Examine is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone in order to determine its quality, condition, or suitability. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as observation, assessment, or testing. The purpose of examining something is usually to gain a better understanding of it, to identify any issues or problems that need to be addressed, or to make a decision based on the information obtained.
Define Examinee
An examinee is a noun that refers to a person who is being examined or tested. This can occur in a variety of settings, such as in an academic or professional context, where the examinee is being evaluated on their knowledge, skills, or abilities. The purpose of examining an individual is usually to determine their level of proficiency or competence, to identify areas where they may need improvement, or to make a decision based on their performance.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to writing, using the right words in the right way is essential. In this section, we will examine how to use the words “examine” and “examinee” properly in a sentence.
How To Use “Examine” In A Sentence
The word “examine” is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something in detail. Here are some examples of how to use “examine” in a sentence:
- The detective carefully examined the crime scene for clues.
- The doctor will examine the patient to determine the cause of their symptoms.
- The auditor will examine the company’s financial records to ensure compliance.
As you can see, “examine” is typically used to describe the act of closely inspecting something or someone.
How To Use “Examinee” In A Sentence
The word “examinee” is a noun that refers to a person who is being examined or tested. Here are some examples of how to use “examinee” in a sentence:
- The examinee was nervous before taking the exam.
- The job candidate was an excellent examinee and performed well in the interview.
- The athlete was the top examinee in the physical fitness test.
As you can see, “examinee” is typically used to refer to a person who is being tested or evaluated in some way.
More Examples Of Examine & Examinee Used In Sentences
In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use the words “examine” and “examinee” in sentences. These examples will help you gain a better understanding of how to use these words in your writing.
Examples Of Using “Examine” In A Sentence
- The doctor will examine the patient to determine the cause of their symptoms.
- The detective will examine the crime scene for any evidence.
- The teacher will examine the students’ essays for grammar and spelling errors.
- The auditor will examine the company’s financial records to ensure compliance.
- The biologist will examine the specimen under a microscope.
- The mechanic will examine the car’s engine to find the source of the problem.
- The appraiser will examine the antique to determine its value.
- The inspector will examine the building for any safety hazards.
- The archaeologist will examine the artifacts to learn more about the culture.
- The scientist will examine the data to draw conclusions.
Examples Of Using “Examinee” In A Sentence
- The examinee was nervous before taking the exam.
- The job interviewer asked the examinee about their previous work experience.
- The teacher gave the examinee a passing grade on their test.
- The psychologist interviewed the examinee to learn more about their mental health.
- The recruiter evaluated the examinee’s skills during the job interview.
- The examiner graded the examinee’s driving skills during the road test.
- The medical student practiced examining the examinee’s reflexes.
- The judge questioned the examinee during the trial.
- The admissions officer reviewed the examinee’s application for admission.
- The coach evaluated the examinee’s athletic abilities during tryouts.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
It is not uncommon for people to use the terms examine and examinee interchangeably. However, this is a mistake that can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using Examine When You Mean Examinee
One of the most common mistakes is using examine when you actually mean examinee. Examine is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone. Examinee, on the other hand, is a noun that refers to the person being inspected or scrutinized. For example:
- Incorrect: The doctor will examine the patient.
- Correct: The doctor will examinee the patient.
Using examine in this context is incorrect because the doctor is not being inspected or scrutinized. The patient is the one being examined, so examinee is the correct term to use.
Using Examinee When You Mean Examine
Another common mistake is using examinee when you actually mean examine. This mistake is less common than the first one, but it still happens. Examine is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone, while examinee is a noun that refers to the person being inspected or scrutinized. For example:
- Incorrect: The examinee will examine the test.
- Correct: The examiner will examine the test taken by the examinee.
Using examinee in this context is incorrect because the examinee is not the one doing the inspecting or scrutinizing. The examiner is the one doing the examining, so examine is the correct term to use.
Using Examine For Inanimate Objects
Another mistake that people make is using examine for inanimate objects. Examine is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone. However, it is not appropriate to use examine for inanimate objects. For example:
- Incorrect: The scientist will examine the microscope.
- Correct: The scientist will inspect the microscope.
Using examine in this context is incorrect because the microscope is not a person who can be scrutinized. Instead, it should be inspected or examined.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid these mistakes, it is important to understand the difference between examine and examinee. Remember that examine is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone, while examinee is a noun that refers to the person being inspected or scrutinized. Additionally, it is important to consider whether the object being inspected or scrutinized is animate or inanimate, and choose the appropriate verb accordingly.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “examine” and “examinee,” context plays a crucial role in determining which one to use. The context can influence the meaning of the word and the message it conveys. Therefore, it is essential to understand the context in which these words are used to make an informed decision.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “examine” and “examinee” might change:
1. Educational Context
In an educational context, “examine” is commonly used to refer to the process of evaluating a student’s knowledge or abilities. For instance, a teacher might say, “I will examine you on your understanding of the course material.” On the other hand, “examinee” is used to refer to the person being evaluated. For example, “The examinee performed well on the exam.”
2. Legal Context
In a legal context, “examine” is often used to refer to the process of questioning a witness or a suspect. For instance, a lawyer might say, “I will examine the witness to establish their credibility.” In this case, “examinee” can also be used to refer to the person being questioned. For example, “The examinee was asked a series of questions by the prosecutor.”
3. Medical Context
In a medical context, “examine” is commonly used to refer to the process of evaluating a patient’s physical condition. For instance, a doctor might say, “I will examine you to determine the cause of your symptoms.” Here, “examinee” can also be used to refer to the person being evaluated. For example, “The examinee was diagnosed with a rare medical condition.”
4. Employment Context
In an employment context, “examine” is often used to refer to the process of evaluating a job candidate’s qualifications. For instance, a hiring manager might say, “I will examine your resume to determine if you have the necessary skills for the job.” In this case, “examinee” can also be used to refer to the job candidate. For example, “The examinee was offered the job after passing the interview.”
As we can see from these examples, the choice between “examine” and “examinee” can depend on the context in which they are used. Therefore, it is essential to consider the context carefully to ensure that the right word is used to convey the intended meaning.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using examine and examinee are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to be aware of. In certain situations, these words may be used in ways that deviate from their typical meanings.
Examine As A Transitive Verb
One exception to the rules for using examine involves the use of examine as a transitive verb. While examine is typically an intransitive verb that does not take a direct object, there are situations in which it may be used transitively. In these cases, examine means to inspect or scrutinize something closely.
For example:
- The detective examined the evidence for any clues.
- The doctor examined the patient’s wound to determine the extent of the injury.
Examinee As An Adjective
Another exception to the rules for using examine and examinee involves the use of examinee as an adjective. While examinee is typically a noun that refers to a person who is being examined, it may also be used as an adjective to describe something related to the examination process.
For example:
- The examinee’s performance on the test was evaluated by the teacher.
- The examinee’s test booklet was collected and graded by the proctor.
Examine As A Noun
Finally, examine may also be used as a noun in certain contexts. When used in this way, examine refers to an academic test or evaluation.
For example:
- The final exam was a comprehensive examine of the course material.
- The teacher provided the students with a study guide to help them prepare for the upcoming examine.
While these exceptions may seem unusual, they are still important to be aware of in order to use examine and examinee correctly in all situations.
Practice Exercises
One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of examine and examinee is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you get started:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either examine or examinee:
- The doctor will _________ the patient to determine the cause of their symptoms.
- The job interviewee was nervous about being __________d by the hiring manager.
- The teacher will __________ the students’ essays for grammar and spelling errors.
- The police officer will __________ the crime scene for evidence.
Answer Key:
- examine
- examined
- examine
- examine
Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentence with either examine or examinee:
- The __________ was nervous before the test.
- The doctor will __________ the patient’s medical history before making a diagnosis.
- The detective will __________ the suspect’s alibi to see if it checks out.
- The job __________ was asked a series of questions during the interview.
Answer Key:
- examinee
- examine
- examine
- interviewee
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
- The doctor will __________ the patient’s symptoms.
- a. examinee
- b. examine
- a. examinee
- b. examine
- a. examinee
- b. examine
Answer Key:
- b
- a
- b
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of examine and examinee in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context in which these words are used to ensure that you are using them correctly.
Conclusion
After examining the differences between “examine” and “examinee”, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. “Examine” is a transitive verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone, while “examinee” is a noun that refers to the person who is being examined or tested.
It is important to use these words correctly in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion. Using “examine” instead of “examinee” can lead to ambiguity and misunderstandings, especially in academic or professional settings where accuracy and clarity are crucial.
Key Takeaways
- “Examine” is a verb that means to inspect or scrutinize something or someone.
- “Examinee” is a noun that refers to the person who is being examined or tested.
- Using these words correctly is important for effective communication and avoiding confusion.
By understanding the differences between “examine” and “examinee”, readers can improve their language use and grammar skills. It is important to continue learning and expanding one’s vocabulary in order to communicate effectively in both written and spoken language.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.